KINGS POINT, N.Y., October 8, 2019 – September was very exciting at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA.) The month was full of events that welcomed generations of Kings Pointers and their families to the Academy.

USMMA hosted the annual Parents Weekend, September 6-9. Beginning on Friday morning, family members participated in morning colors and attended classes with their midshipmen. They also had the opportunity to visit the Academy training ship, T/V Kings Pointer, the Mariners’ Memorial Chapel, and the American Merchant Marine Museum.  After lunch, they met with Rear Admiral Jack Buono, Superintendent, for a briefing on ongoing and future projects, and had the opportunity to ask questions. That evening, they ate dinner with the Regiment of Midshipmen before attending the USMMA Regimental Band’s performance of Beat Retreat.

On Saturday, after visiting the barracks, parents and families attended a formal parade and pinning ceremony that marked the acceptance of the Plebe class into the U.S. Navy Reserve. Sunday, plebes enjoyed overnight liberty with their parents for the first time since entering the Academy. For those who stuck around on Monday, they got to join the Class of 2023 at Citifield, where the New York Mets won, 3-1, against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation annual event.

Later in the month, September 19-22, the USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation hosted Homecoming for graduating classes with years ending in 4s and 9s. Highlights of the weekend included; a formal parade on Friday, where the Regiment of Midshipmen honored Kings Pointer of the Year, Robert P. Burke, ’81, a candlelight vigil in memory of “the 142” cadet-midshipmen who made the ultimate sacrifice during WWII, the Annual Hall of Fame dinner honoring ten new members of the USMMA Athletic Hall of Fame, and a special performance of Beat Retreat, that included performances by the USMMA Glee Club and Dance Club, among others.

Homecoming was topped-off by Men’s soccer beating Sarah Lawrence, 4-0, and another big win for USMMA Football, against cross-Sound rival, SUNY-Maritime. The final score was 45-0.

Click here for: Parents Weekend and Homecoming Highlights